Escape the cliché! See the best of LA in just a day while getting off the beaten path and discovering the city’s lesser known sites. This LA overview gives you both landmark icons and secret gems, taking you from Hollywood to Santa Monica, with the Farmers Market and Beverly Hills in between. Explore on foot and by public transit as you ride alongside locals and get a feel for what it really means to live in Los Angeles. Sure, you’ll see the Hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive, and Venice Beach (can you really come to LA and not see them?!), but you also visit a hidden garden oasis on Hollywood Boulevard, learn about film and television history at a local media museum, and ride bikes along the Pacific Ocean’s famous beach path.

Ultimate Los Angeles Sightseeing Tour Highlights

Explore the hidden corners of legendary Hollywood Boulevard and learn about the birthplace of film

Visit the Original Farmers Market for some LA nostalgia and a tasty lunch break, locals-style

Indulge your inner celeb in Beverly Hills with a stop at a delectable bakery and a stroll along glamorous Rodeo Drive

Cruise along the coast from the Santa Monica Pier to Venice’s Muscle Beach while soaking up some SoCal sunshine

Experience what it means to live like an LA local, with rides on transit and stops at favorite city haunts

Schedule details

Meeting point:6801 Hollywood Blvd., next to the escalator/staircase by Forever 21. Visit metro.net for more info on public transport. For parking, check out parkinginla.lacity.org.

Starting time: 9.00 AM

Ending point: Santa Monica Pier

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Full Itinerary

On this Los Angeles city tour, you begin in Hollywood, LA’s birthplace of film, and see the Chinese Theater and Dolby Theater with their iconic Hollywood sign backdrop. Glimpse your favorite stars on the Walk of Fame… or maybe even in person! Once you’ve seen what the strip has to offer, we head off the beaten path on our LA sightseeing tour to Hollywood local hotspots, to the hidden gems even some residents don’t know about, like a secret garden right on Hollywood Boulevard.

Then, it’s time to jump on a local bus for a quick ride down Fairfax to an LA institution that’s over 80 years old. The Original Farmers Market began in 1934 as a makeshift gathering of local farmers selling fresh produce out of trucks. Today, the market is a melting pot of tantalizing food stalls, old-fashioned vendors, fresh produce, and lots of local atmosphere! Lunch is at your own cost, giving you full freedom to choose from the vast array of delicious foods available.

After our lunch break, we take a quick bus to the heart of Beverly Hills. Taste a treat from a world-famous cupcake bakery, then check out whatever costumes, sets, and props are on display at a local media museum. Finally, stroll one of the most renowned shopping streets in the world, Rodeo Drive.

Leaving Beverly Hills, you ride through West Los Angeles, passing through the high-rises and UCLA neighborhoods of Westwood and Brentwood. You can also use this chance for a quick nap or to strike up a conversation with a local.

Once in Santa Monica, take in a view of the Pacific then set off for a quintessential LA experience on a laidback Cali beach cruiser (bicycle). Soak up the local culture, SoCal sun, and Pacific breeze on this leisurely bike ride (about six miles) from the Santa Monica Pier to lively Venice Beach, home to Muscle Beach, funky shops, and eclectic locals. This easy pedal along the beach is a rewarding end to your grand tour of LA.

Finish your Los Angeles city tour at the Santa Monica Pier, where your guide assists you with finding public transportation or a taxi to your next destination. Or, if you still have the energy, stay and explore Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and vibrant nightlife.

Dress standard: Los Angeles is typically a warmer climate, but it can be cool in the morning, late afternoon, or along the coast in the winter. Light layers, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are recommended year-round, as is comfortable footwear for walking.

Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.

Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We’ll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher

Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page. Please note that this is a long tour, so you may wish to discuss bringing your child with the local operations team beforehand at [email protected].

Local contact

Had a fantastic time, our leader was incredible and the itinerary worked beautifully. Loved visiting the wattle farm community gardens and the bike ride at Santa Monica.

Ms. Marita S. from Norway traveled on 24 Oct 2016

Had a the best time! We visited so many great places and learned so much interesting and fun history. The cupcake was a real treat and the beach biking was an excellent end to the tour!

Ms. Bethany P. from Canada traveled on 17 Jun 2016

I enjoyed seeing Los Angeles on this Urban Adventure. I liked touring Hollywood. Biking on Venice Beach was a fun. Thank you for the tour, Intrepid is outstanding.

Ms. Melanie P. from Australia traveled on 06 Jul 2015

The LA Getaway itinerary is an excellent way to see LA in only one day. The opportunity to see Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach all via local transport and with a local guide looking after all of the details is really valuable and highly recommended – in my opinion so much better to see a city this way, in a small group. Visiting the community garden in Hollywood was an unexpected treasure and a real highlight, as was the bike ride from Santa Monica to Venice Beach. Summer was delightful to deal with in the pre-booking process, and with her generous advice I had the information and confidence to see a couple of extra sights in LA on my own.

Ms. Jeanette P. from Australia traveled on 13 Jun 2015

Enjoyed a lovely LA day with Pip seeing both the mainstream and alternative sites. I enjoyed wandering around the community garden with a enthusiastic Glad, and getting an introduction to the buses of LA, proving can get around without a car. Really enjoyed finishing off with a bicycle ride along the beach at Santa Monica… something for everyone.